[♪♪♪] >> WHAT A BEAUTIFUL ASSEMBLY OF PEOPLE.

LOOK AROUND THIS ROOM.

SO MANY PEOPLE THAT WORKED SO LONG TO BRING PEACE TO THE WORLD AND JUSTICE TO THE WORLD AND I WANT TO SAY GOOD EVENING TO ALL OF YOU FROM ALL OF US AT INTERFAITH WORKS.

TONIGHT'S PROGRAM IS CALLED FAITH UNITED FOR PEACE.

THIS ACTIVITY TONIGHT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE DO AT INTERFAITH WORKS, WHICH IS TO GATHER PEOPLE TOGETHER TO SHARE OUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER, TO SEE ALL OF OUR DIFFERENCES AS FULLY HUMAN, AND TO BE TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT BRINGS PEACE TO THE PLANET.

AND THERE IS SO MUCH VIOLENCE ON THE PLANET TODAY.

THERE'S SO MUCH SORROW.

THAT WE NEED TO BRING SOLACE TO THE WORLD.

THE ROUNDTABLE OF FAITH LEADERS CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF TONIGHT'S FAITH UNITED FOR PEACE.

AND PUT TOGETHER THIS WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL PROGRAM.

AND IT IS A PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES THE MANY, MANY VOICES OF THE FAITH LEADERS ACROSS THE CENTRAL NEW YORK REGION.

YOU WON'T GET TO SEE THIS IN EVERY TOWN, SO CONGRATULATIONS TO US, CENTRAL NEW YORK FOR BEING THIS KIND OF COMMUNITY.

THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS UPON US.

WE HAVE BEEN FACING THE SEEING THE VIOLENCE, SEEING THE DIFFICULTIES THAT PEOPLE ARE UNDER GOING.

THE WAR IN UKRAINE HAS BEEN WITH US NOW TWO YEARS.

THE WAR IN THE CONGO HAS RISEN AND FALLEN TERRIBLY ON THE RISE AT THIS TIME.

AND ALSO IN SUDAN WHERE MANY, MANY YEARS AGO WE SETTLED MANY PEOPLE FROM SUDAN BEING SETTLED DOWN.

PEOPLE COULDN'T RETURN HOME AND IT IS AGAIN A TIME OF CRISIS.

WE HAVE FOUR HUGE, HUGE CRISES ON THE PLANET AT THIS TIME THAT ARE AFFECTING SO MANY PEOPLE.

AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THIS HAVE BEEN RESIDENTS OF THESE LANDS.

THEY HAVE BEEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VERY HURT BY WHAT'S HAPPENING AND ALSO PEOPLE WHO REALLY WANT PEACE IN THE WORLD.

SO WHEN THE ROUNDTABLE DECIDED TO DO THIS, IT WAS REALLY OUT OF THE SPIRIT OF WHO THEY ARE FOR OUR ORGANIZATION.

THEY SERVE AS THE CONSCIENCE AND THE MORAL VOICE OF OUR ORGANIZATION AND INFORM ALL OF OUR WORK.

THEY HAVE BEEN MEETING TOGETHER EVERY MONTH SINCE 1976.

NOT EXACTLY ALL THE SAME PEOPLE EVERY TIME BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE MOVED ON BUT THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN SOMEBODY FROM THE ISLAMIC 0 SOCIETY, THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN SOMEBODY FROM THE COUNCIL THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN A BAPTIST, A CATHOLIC AND A SIKH.

IT IS A WONDERFUL BODY OF PEOPLE THAT WORK TOGETHER ACROSS THESE DIVIDES IN SOCIETY WOULD HAVE US HAVE MAKING BRIDGES AMONG ALL OF US.

AND WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TONIGHT FOR THEM.

WE'RE GRATEFUL TO OCC FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN PROVIDING THIS BEAUTIFUL SPACE.

WE'RE GRATEFUL TO THE CENTRAL NEW YORK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION I SEE THE INTERIM PRESIDENT IS HERE AND WE THANK THEM FOR PROVIDING THE FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM AND ALSO WE'RE GRATEFUL TO WCNY FOR RECORDING THIS PROGRAM AND IT WILL BE REBROADCAST.

SO TO THOSE WHO WILL PRAY FOR US TONIGHT WE THANK YOU.

FOR THOSE WHO REFLECT ON PEACE, WE THANK YOU.

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE MUSIC THAT WERE HERE TONIGHT, TO SOOTHE OUR SOULS IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES WE THANK YOU.

AND WE WELCOME YOU ALL TO THIS EVENING.

I TURN IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUES AND DEAR FRIEND AND PETER SHIDEMANTLE ARE GOING TO SERVE AS AUR LEADERSHIP EMCEE'S FOR THE NIGHT.

>> WE ARE MUSLIM.

WE ARE JEW.

WE ARE CHRISTIAN OF VARIOUS KINDS.

WE ARE BUDDHISTS.

WE ARE SIKH.

WE ARE HINDU, WE ARE LURE.

WE ARE LATTER DAY SAINT WE HAVE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.

WE ARE NATIVES TO THIS LAND.

WE ARE IMMIGRANTS.

SOME COMING TO THE SHORES TO ESCAPE PERSECUTION.

OTHERS OF US BROUGHT HERE IN CHAINS.

WE ARE YOUNG AND WE ARE OLD.

AND IN-BETWEEN.

AND WE ALL HAVE A VOICE THAT NEEDS TO BE HEARD.

AS STEF MENTIONED WITH THE ERUPTION OF VIOLENCE IN ISRAEL AND GAZA AND THE ONGOING WAR IN UKRAINE ASSIMONNED VIOLENCE AND SUFFERING IN CONGO AND SUDAN OUR ROUNDTABLE OF FAITH LEADERS ARE MOVED TO INVITE OUR COMMUNITIES TO COME TOGETHER FOR A SACRED SHARING OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION AND SONG AND STORY.

AND CRAFTED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT AS WE CONVENE THIS GATHERING.

SO I INVITE YOU THE STATEMENT IS PRINTED ON THE BACK OF THE PROGRAM.

YOU WILL NOTICE AT THE END OF THE STATEMENT THERE ARE THREE LINES IN BOLD PRINT.

INVITE US ALL TO SAY THOSE LINES TOGETHER.

AS MEMBERS OF THE ROUNDTABLE OF FAITH LEADERS FOR INTERESTING FAPGHT WORKS, WE HOLD A LIGHT IN THE MIDST OF THE PRESENT DARKNESS.

TOGETHER WITH OTHERS OF OUR RESPECTED FAITH COMMUNITIES WE STAND AS A UNIFIED WITNESS FOR PEACE AND NONVIOLENCE.

MAY OUR LIGHT SO SHINE THAT IT EXPOSES THE EVILS OF RACIAL, RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC HATRED.

AND ANY IDEOLOGY THAT THREATENS THE FULLNESS OF HUMAN DIGNITY FOR ALL PEOPLE.

IN A WORLD OF HATRED AND INJURY, WE ARE COMMITTED TO OFFERING LOVE AND HEALING.

IN A WORLD OF DOUBT AND DESPAIR WE ARE COMMITTED TO SHARING FAITH AND HOPE.

IN A WORLD OF DARKNESS AND SADNESS WE ARE COMMITTED TO LIFTING UP LIFE AND JOY.

>> INTERFAITH WORKS ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WE ARE ON THE ANCESTRAL LANDS OF ONONDAGA NATION.

WE GRATITUDE WE HONOR THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND INCLUDING THE ONONDAGA ANCESTORS AND PEOPLE OF THE NATION WHO ARE RESILIENT AND SURVIVED MANY EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE THEM.

WE PLEDGE TO CONTINUE TO BUILD RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE ONONDAGA NATION AND HER PEOPLE.

WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR NATIVE-AMERICAN NEIGHBORS AND TO VISIT THE LAW PEACE CENTER AT ONONDAGA LAKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM AND MEET THEM AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

>> IN ORDER TO HAVE WORLD PEACE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EACH OF US TO HAVE INNER PEACE.

SO I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO TAKE 30 SECONDS TO JUST BREATHE, RELAX AND GENERATE INNER PEACE.

>> THEN I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER THIS ANCIENT BUDDHIST PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE.

IN THE WORLD IN GENERAL AND IN THIS NATION, MAY NOT EVEN THE NAMES OF DISEASE, FAMINE WAR AND SUFFERING BE HEARD.

MAY QUALITIES MERIT AND PROSPERITY GREATLY INCREASE.

AND MAY CONTINUOUS GOOD FORTUNE AND SUPPLY WELL-BEING PERFECTLY ARISE.

THANK YOU.

>> I'M FINOA QJUGBELI.

AND I AM A SENIOR AT CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY.

I HAVE TO GIVE MY THOUGHTS FOR HOPE FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD.

I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR LISTENING.

I HOPE FOR PEACE IN THE WORLD.

I HOPE THAT ONE DAY WE WILL NOT WAKE UP TO REPORTS OF ANOTHER HORRIFIC EVENT.

I HOPE FOR PEACE AMONG COUNTRIES THAT RECONCILIATION IS NOT SUCH A FAR-FETCHED AND CHILD LIKE DREAM.

THAT IS SIMPLY ONE HANDSHAKE, ONE WORD AWAY.

I HOPE FOR PEACE WITHIN OUR OWN NATION.

THAT HAS DIFFERENCES WILL NO LONGER SEPARATE US, THAT PEOPLE WILL NO LONGER WORRY WHEN THEY SEE THE FLASHING LIGHTS THAT WE WILL BECOME A UNITED NATION AGAIN.

I HOPE FOR PEACE FOR YOU AND I THAT ONE DAY I WILL NOT NEED TO HOPE AND WISH AND PRAY FOR PEACE.

THAT ONE DAY PEACE WILL BE SEEN AS SO SILLY AND OUTLANDISH THAT IT WILL BE ALMOST COMICAL.

BUT THAT IS NOT TODAY.

AND SO I HOPE AND I WISH AND I PRAY FOR A PEACE IN OUR WORLD.

THANK YOU.

>> I'M HONORED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN OTHER PEOPLE'S FAITH IN LIFTING OUR VOICES FOR PEACE.

AS WE GATHER, WAR IS AFFECT PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, UKRAINE, SUDAN, CONGO AND OTHER PLACES.

YET VIOLENCE EXTENDS BEYOND WARS.

TERRORISM, POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS SEEN RACIAL HATRED, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, MIGRANTS, MISTREATMENT OF WILLIAMS, ECONOMIC INEQUITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ARE SOME OF THE OTHER WAYS VIOLENCE IS MANIFESTED AND IMPACTING THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE WORLD.

TODAY AS WE GATHER CHRISTIANS, ARE CELEBRATING THE SEASON OF ADVENT WHICH FOR MOST CHRISTIANS IS A SOMETIME WHEN WE WITNESS THE DIVINE HOPE THAT HOLDS US ALTOGETHER.

AS A UNITED METHODIST OUR LONGING FOR PEACE LEADS US TO ACT WORKING FOR PEACE IS PRAYER IN ACTION.

SO IT IS IN THAT SPIRIT OF LOVE AND HEALING THAT I INVITE US TO JOIN OUR HEARTS IN PRAYER.

GOD OF ALL PEOPLE, YOU STAND SOLIDARITY WITH YOUR CREATION.

OPEN OUR EYES TO SEE THE PAIN OF OUR NEIGHBORS THAT COMES FROM THE MANY WAYS VIOLENCE IS MANIFESTING IN THE WORLD.

TODAY WE PRAY FOR STILLNESS, JUSTICE, AND PEACE TO COME.

FOR WAITING UNCERTAINTY AND INSECURITY TO END.

FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE.

WAR AND KILLING.

FOR HEALING TO FIND US AND REACH THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

GOD, GRANTS US THE GRACE TO BE YOUR HEALING PRESENCE IN THE FACE OF VIOLENCE AND AMBASSADORS OF YOUR LOVE WHICH EMBRACES ALL OF US.

WE ALSO ASK FOR THE COURAGE TO WORK FOR PEACE INTERCEPTING AND DISMANTLING VIOLENCE AND REBUILDING OUR SHARED DIGNITY.

WRAP ALL AND EACH OF YOUR PEOPLE IN YOUR LOVE.

MAY ALL HURTING TODAY HEAR YOUR LOVING VOICE SAYING COME TO ME YOU WHO SUFFER IN OUR BURDEN AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.

WE PRAY THESE THINGS IN THE NAME OF THE MERCIFUL ONE, AMEN.

>> HELLO.

GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT MY FAITH IN THE PRAYER AND PEACE AND WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO BEFORE THE ACTUAL PRAYER, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE A POEM WRITTEN HAD MAYA WILEY SON IN THE AUTISM SPECTRUM HE CANNOT TALK BUT HE CAN COMMUNICATE THROUGH TYPING.

SO HE GOT AN IMPRESSIVE ABILITY AND TALENT IN TERMS OF PHILOSOPHICAL AND WRITING.

HERE IS THE POEM.

A PRAYER A MANTRA HOW WILL WE CALL UPON A SHINING LIGHT FROM BEYOND.

CLOSING EYES CAN HEAR THE HUM OF LOVE, WORLDS BEYOND.

NOW, I'M GOING TO RECITE THE ACTUAL MANTRA.

[MANTRA] LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT IT ACTUALLY MEANS.

IT MEANS HOME MAY ALL BE HAPPY.

IT MEANS MAY ALL BE FREE FROM ILLNESS.

MEANS MAY ALL SEE WHAT IS ONLY AUSPICIOUS.

MAY NO ONE SUFFER.

PEACE, PEACE AND ONLY PEACE.

SO WE ALWAYS SAY SHANTY THREE TIMES BECAUSE THERE ARE THREE SOURCES OF CONSCIENCE AND PREJUDICES.

ONE IS FROM OUR IMMEDIATE SURROUNDING, ONE IS IN THE REMOTE CORNERS OF THE THIRD.

WE ALL SAY SHANTY, SHANTY, SHANTY.

SHANTY, SHANTY, SHANTY.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT MY FAITH.

THANK YOU, AGAIN.

>> I AM KELLI ROLY FROM THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS AND THANK YOU FOR THIS INVITATION.

I WISH TO PRAY.

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEF THEN HALLOWED BE THY NAME.

WE GATHER THIS EVENING WITH OUR HEARTS BOUND TOGETHER THROUGH PRAYER.

OUR PRAYERS FROM THIS PLACE MAY GO FORTH IN LOVE AND PEACE.

BEGINNING WITH OUR NEIGHBORS, EXTENDING TO OUR COMMUNITIES AND EXPANDING TO ALL NATIONS.

WE CHERISH THE TRUTH THAT ALL MOTHERS AND FATHERS KNOW WHEN THY CHILDREN PLAY TOGETHER, THERE IS BEAUTY ALL AROUND.

THERE IS JOY IN EVERY SOUND.

WHEN THERE'S LOVE AT HOME.

HELP US MAKE OUR HOMES THY CREATION, BEAUTIFUL AND JOYOUS.

WE DO NOT DELIGHT IN THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS BY CHILDREN.

THEY ARE PRECIOUS IN THY SIGHT.

IF WE FIND OURSELVES UNDER THE YOLK OF HATRED AND PREJUDICE, BREAK IT OFF THAT WE MAY BE FREE, BREAK IT OFF, OH, LORD, BREAK IT OFF FROM THY SERVANTS FROM AROUND OUR NECKS.

THAT BY THY POWER OUR HEARTS MAY BE A PLACE TO FIND PEACE.

REMEMBER THE KINGS AND PRINCES, THE PRESIDENTS AND PRIME MINISTERS, THE GREAT ONES OF THE EARTH AND ALL PEOPLE AND ALL CHURCHES AND RELIGIONS AND CREEDS ALL THE POOR THE NEEDY THE DISPLACED, AFFLICTED ONES OF THE EARTH.

THAT THEIR HEARTS MAY BE SOFTENED AND THEIR PREJUDICES MAY GIVE WAY BEFORE THY LAW OF LOVE.

WILL ACCEPT THESE PROCEEDINGS, WILT THOU HEAR OUR PRAYERS.

IT REPRESENTS THE EFFORTS OF THOSE WHO LOVE THEE.

IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.

[♪♪♪] ♪LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT [♪♪♪] THIS IS A PRAYER COMPOSED [INAUDIBLE] OH, HOLY ONE, WHO KNOWS NO VENGEANCE IN YOUR HEART, SAVE US FROM OURSELVES.

SAVE US FROM THE VENGEANCE IN OUR HEARTS.

AND THE ACID IN OUR SOULS.

SAVE US FROM OUR DESIRE TO HURT, AS WE HAVE BEEN HURT.

TO PUNISH AS WE HAVE BEEN.ISHED.

TO TERRORIZE AS WE HAVE BEEN TERRORIZED.

GIVE US THE STRENGTH IT TAKES TO LISTEN RATHER THAN TO JUDGE.

TO TRUST RATHER THAN TO FEAR.

TO TRY AGAIN, AND AGAIN, TO MAKE PEACE EVEN WHEN PEACE ELUDES US.

WE ASK OH, PEACEFUL ONE, FOR THE GRACE TO BE OUR BEST SELFS.

WE ASK FOR THE VISION TO BE BUILDERS OF THE HUMAN COMMUNITY RATHER THAN ITS DESTROYERS.

WE ASK FOR THE HUMILITY AS A PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE FEARS AND HOPES OF OTHER PEOPLE.

WE ASK FOR THE LOVE IT TAKES TO BE TO THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD TO COME MORE THAN THE FAILURES OF OUR OWN MAKING.

WE ASK FOR THE HEART IT TAKES TO CARE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF THE CONGO AND SUDAN OF UKRAINE OF PALESTINIAN AND ISRAEL AND GAZA.

AS WELL AS FOR OURSELVES.

GIVE US THE DEPTH OF SOUL OH, COMPASSIONATE ONE, TO CONSTRAIN OUR MIGHT, TO RESIST THE TEMPTATIONS OF POWER, TO REFUSE TO ATTACK THE ATTACKABLE, TO UNDERSTAND THAT VENGEANCE BEGETS VIOLENCE.

AND TO BRING PEACE NOT WAR WHEREVER WE GO.

FOR YOU, OH, COMPASSIONATE ONE, HAVE BEEN MERCIFUL TO US.

YOU HAVE BEEN PATIENT WITH US.

YOU HAVE BEEN GRACIOUS TO US.

AND SO MAY WE BE MERCIFUL AND PATIENT AND GRACIOUS AND TRUSTING WITH THESE OTHERS WHOM YOU ALSO LOVE.

WE PRAY THIS IN YOUR NAME, THE ONE WHO HAS NO VENGEANCE IN YOUR HEART.

AMEN.

>> THERE IS THAT OF GOD IN EVERYONE.

MAY WE BELIEVE THIS IN OUR HEARTS.

LET IT ANIMATE OUR SOULS AND SHINE THROUGH OUR LIVES.

MAY WE CULTIVATE PEACEFUL THOUGHTS, PRACTICE KINDNESS AND COMPASSION.

MAY WE DENOUNCE ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE WHETHER IN WORD OR IN ACTION.

AND FIND THE STRENGTH TO WORK TOGETHER TO BRING ABOUT HEALING, PEACE AND JUSTICE.

MAY WE BE PRESENT TO EACH OTHER AS TEACHER AND FRIEND.

HONORING EACH OTHER'S BELIEVES AND TRADITIONS.

BELIEFS AND TRADITIONS.

MAY WE HONOR THE DIVINE LIGHT WITHIN EACH ONE OF US AND REMEMBER TO BE GRATEFUL FOR THE GIFT OF EACH OTHER.

MAY I EMBRACE SILENCE AND INVITE YOU TO EMBRACE SILENCE.

SO THAT TOGETHER WE CAN LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD.

THERE IS THAT OF GOD IN EVERYONE.

MAY WE LET LOVE GUIDE US SO THAT TOGETHER WE MAY KNOW TRUE JOY.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE.

I AM A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FROM CHRISTIAN BROTHER AS CADMY.

WITH MY HOST FOR PEACE IN THE FUTURE.

EVERYDAY WE WITNESS TRAGEDY AND CONFLICT FROM GLOBAL CRISIS TO VIOLENCE IN OUR CITIES.

AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT I MAY NOT BE A DIPLOMAT OR WORLD LEADERS BUT I DREAM OF A PEACEFUL FUTURE.

THERE ARE TWO ASPECTS TO PEACE THAT ARE ARE VERY CRUCIAL.

WORLD PEACE WHICH AIMS TO RESOLVE INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS AND DOMESTIC PEACE ADDRESSING VIOLENCE AND INJUSTICE WITHIN COMMUNITIES BOTH ARE VITAL FOR A UNITED HUMAN RACE.

GLOBALLY FOR THOSE CONFLICTS IN RUSSIA, UKRAINE, I PRAY FOR BRAVE LEADERS TO MAKE CONCESSIONS FOR PEACE.

DOMESTICALLY WE SEE SUFFERING IN PLACES LIKE SYRACUSE WITH HIGH CHILD POVERTY RATES AND CRIME RATES.

HERE PEACE STARTS WITH US.

THE INDIVIDUALS AND BETTER CIRCUMSTANCES.

SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS, SHARING A MEAL.

OFFERING CHANGE OR HAVING A CONVERSATION CAN INSTILL THE MUCH-NEEDED HOPE TO THOSE FACING DESPAIR.

HOPE THAT CAN HELP INSTILL PEACE IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY.

AND THESE CHALLENGING TIMES MY HEART IS HEAVY YET HOPEFUL.

WITH COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING LET'S WORK TOWARD A FUTURE WHERE PEACE IS NOT JUST A DREAM BUT REALITY FOR ALL.

>> GOOD EVENING.

WE LIVE IN TRYING TIMES.

AND FOR KNOWS DRIVING FOR PURITY AND MORE SPIRITUAL EXISTENCE, EVERY DISCORD IN SPIRIT IS MOVING AND TRYING THE WEAKNESS IN ALL OF US TO CAUSE CONFUSION IN THE MINDS OF ALL TRUE BELIEVERS.

AS FAITH LEADERS, IN INDEED ALL OF US THAT LIVE THE LIFE OF FAITH, WE'RE TASKED WITH BEING ABLE TO SEE BEYOND THE LIMITS OF THE POLL AND TO DEMONSTRATE OUR ABILITY TO GUIDE PRIMARILY BY SHOWING AN ABILITY TO PRESENT OUR MINDS FROM BEING SWALLOWED BY THE CARES OF THE WORLD.

TO PREVENT OUR PASSIONS FROM GUIDING OUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS.

THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS IS FANNING THE FLAMES OF THE PASSIONS IN THE WORLD OVER.

WE MUST REMAIN VIGILANT AND ASK OURSELVES ARE MY THOUGHTS GUIDED BY REASON OR BY MY PASSIONS?

HAVE I BARGAINED AWAY ANY PORTION WHAT I KNOW TO BE TRUE TO SATISFY MY PERSONAL FEELINGS?

THE WORD ISLAM MEANS PEACE.

BUT THE KIND OF PEACE THAT MORE SPECIFICALLY IS DEFINED AS THE RESOLUTION OF OPPORTUNITIES, THE ARABIC PHRASE MEANS SAY THAT GOD IS ONE BUT NOT ONE GOD AMONGST MANY.

BUT GOD IS INDIVISIBLE UNITY.

GOD HAS NO OPPOSITION.

OUR FAITH SHOULD BE SUCH AS WELL.

THUS TO SEEK THE RESOLUTION OF OPPORTUNITIES IS TO MOVE TOWARDS ONENESS WHICH IS TO DRAW NEAR GOD HIMSELF.

LET'S PRAY.

TRULY WE TURN OURSELVES BEING UP RIGHT TO GOD WHO CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH.

SURELY OUR PRAYERS, SACRIFICE LIGHTENED FOR YOU LORD OF THE WORLD.

NO SOURCE YOU HAVE YOU AND WE ARE THOSE WHO SUBMIT.

ALL THE KING THERE IS NO GOD BUT THEE.

THOU IS OUR LORD AND WE ARE THY SERVANTS.

WE HAVE BEEN UNJUST TO OURSELVES AND CONFESS OUR FAULTS.

GRANT US PROTECTION FROM OUR FAULTS.

GOD CAN GUIDE THE BEST OF MORALS AND TURN AWAY THE EVIL AND INDECENT MORALS.

ALL OUR BLESSINGS AND BLESSED TRUE FOLLOWERS, LESS ABRAHAM AND THE FRACTURES OF ABRAHAM SURELY OUGHT TO BE PRAISED AND IMAGE ANIED.

ALL MAKE US SUCCESSFUL AND MAKE THE TRUE FOLLOWERS SUCCESSFUL.

MAKE THE TRUE FOLLOWERS OF ABRAHAM SUCCESSFUL.

AMEN.

>> GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.

I REPRESENT THE AAPOSTOLIC CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST.

I START OFF AS SAYING THAT FAITH HAS TO SEEK UNDERSTANDING.

AMEN.

PRAYER IS THE KEY AND FAITH UNLOCKS THE DOOR.

AS WE BOW OUR HEADS SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD, WE COME BEFORE YOU ASKING FIRST FOR FORGIVENESS OF OUR SIN.

THANKING YOU FOR YOUR PERFECT LOVE THAT YOU HAVE BESTOWED UPON ALL OF MANKIND.

WE THANK YOU FOR PEACE AND LOVE.

WE ALSO PRAY FOR PEACE AND LOVE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE WORLD ESPECIALLY IN ISRAEL AND HAMAS AND PALESTINIAN AND SUDAN AND THE CONGO.

AND ALL OVER THE WORLD WHERE THERE IS PEACE, THERE IS HAPPINESS AND WHERE THERE'S HAPPINESS THERE'S JOY.

IN THOSE.

THE ONLY HEALER OF WAR IS PEACE.

WE GIVE THANKS FOR THE CHILDREN.

WE ASK A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THE CHILDREN BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE THE ONES THAT WILL SUFFER THE MOST.

CHILDREN NORMALLY THEY LEARN FROM WHAT THEY ARE TAUGHT, WHAT THEY LEARN MORE AS TO WHAT THEY SEE IN THE WORLD.

WE ASK FOR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING.

FOR UNDERSTANDING IS A POWERFUL KEY.

LET LOVE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK IN EVERYONE OF US.

LOVE IS THE CONCLUSION OF EVERY MATTER.

>> GOOD EVENING I AM TRULY HUMBLED TO BE HERE.

I AM FROM ALL SAINTS PERISH.

PARISH.

AND SHE MENTIONED PEACE AND LOVE.

IN THE 60s PEOPLE GREETED EACH OTHER WITH PEACE AND LOVE WHICH THEY MEANT THERE IS NO PEACE WITHOUT LOVE.

AND JESUS AND JOHN 13:34 JESUS SAID LOVE EACH OTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU FOR YOU ALL REMEMBER TO DO THAT, THAT ONE COMMAND WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD IT WOULD BE PEACEFUL WORLD IT WOULD BE.

THIS IS CALLED LOVE IS YOUR LOVE.

THIS IS A SONG I WROTE.

[♪♪♪] ♪HOW WE VIEW THE WORLD IS A BLESSING OR A CURSE ♪WE CAN SEE IT AS GOD DOES, WE CAN SEE THE WORD ♪I USED TO CROSS THE STREET NOW MY EYES ARE OPEN ♪LIKE THE TRAVELER'S WORK WHEN THAT STRANGER'S WORDS WERE SPOKEN ♪LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED, NO ONE SHOULD EVER FEEL ALONE ♪LIVE WITHIN THIS ONE COMMAND, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED.

♪LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED.

♪NO ONE SHOULD EVER FEEL ALONE.

♪LIVE WITHIN THIS ONE COMMAND, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED.

♪WE ARE CALLED TO BE THE DISCIPLES TO SEE THE GOOD IN EVERY MAN.

TO PLANT A SEED IN EVERY HEART OF GOD'S MAN.

♪LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED AND DO THE BEST YOU CAN ♪TO SHARE WITH THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST, LEND A HELPING HAND.

♪FOR LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED.

NO ONE SHOULD EVER FEEL ALONE ♪LIVE WITHIN THIS ONE COMMAND, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED, YES, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED, NO ONE SHOULD EVER FEEL ALONE ♪LIVE WITHIN THIS ONE COMMAND LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED♪ ♪YES, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED♪ ♪LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED♪ [♪♪♪] ♪JESUS SHOWED US HOW TO LOVE AND NOW WE SHOULD LIVE♪ ♪FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS WE MUST LEARN TO FORGIVE.

♪NOT SEVEN TIMES BUT 70 TIMES SEVEN IS WHAT HE SAYS ♪YOU CAN'T OUTGROW OR SHARE GOD'S LOVE UNTIL YOU CLEAR YOUR HEAD ♪SO LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED, NO ONE SHOULD EVER FEEL ALONE ♪LIVE WITHIN THIS ONE COMMAND LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED, YES, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED NO ONE SHOULD EVER FEEL ALONE ♪LIVE WITHIN THIS ONE COMMAND AND LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED.

♪YES, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED♪ ♪YES, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED♪ ♪ARE WE HERE TO SHARE OUR LOVE OR ARE WE JUST PASSING BY?

♪NOTHING IS TOO MUCH TO GIVE AND NOTHING IS TOO LITTLE TO TRY ♪EVEN IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN A GRACIOUS GOD OF LOVE ♪YOU CAN'T DENY THE ONE COMMAND WE ARE BETTER OFF WITH LOVE.

SO LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED.

♪NO ONE SHOULD EVER FEEL ALONE.

♪LIVE WITHIN THIS ONE COMMAND, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED, YES, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED NO ONE SHOULD EVER FEEL ALONE♪ ♪LIVE WITHIN THIS ONE COMMAND AND LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED♪ ♪YES, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED♪ ♪YES, LOVE AS YOU ARE LOVED♪ >> THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS WRITTEN TO THE BOSTON GLOBE IN DECEMBER 1904.

BY THE DISCOVERER AND FOUNDER OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MARY BAKER EDDIE.

SHE ENTITLED IT HOW STRIVE MAYBE STILLED.

REFERRING TO THE CONFLICT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND JAPAN AT THAT TIME.

FOLLOW THAT WHICH IS GOOD.

NOTHING IS GAINED BY FIGHTING BUT MUCH IS LOST.

PEACE IS THE PROMISE AND REWARD OF RIGHTS.

GOVERNMENTINGS HAVE NO RIGHT TO EN CRAFT INTO CIVILIZATION, THE BURLESQUE OF UNCIVIL ECONOMICS.

WAR IS IN ITSELF AN EVIL.

DEVILISH.

VICTORY AND ERROR IS DEFEAT IN TRUTH.

WAR IS NOT IN THE DOMAIN OF GOOD.

WAR WEAKENS POWER.

AND MUST FINALLY FALL.

PIERCED BY ITS OWN SWORD.

THE PRINCIPLE OF ALL POWER IS GOD.

GOD IS LOVE.

WHATEVER BRINGS INTO HUMANS FODDER ACTION AN ELEMENT OPPOSED TO LOVE, IS NEVER REQUISITE, NEVER A NECESSITY AND IS NOT SANCTIONED BY THE LAW OF GOD.

THE LAW OF LOVE, THE FOUNDER OF CHRISTIANITY SAID MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU NOT AS THE WORLD GIVE US GIVE I UNTO YOU, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE REINFORCES CHRIST'S SAYINGS AND DOINGS.

THE PRINCIPLE OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE DEMONSTRATES PEACE.

CHRISTIANITY IS THE CHAIN OF SCIENTIFIC BEING, REAPPEARING IN ALL AGES.

MAINTAINING IS OBVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES.

AND UNITING ALL PERIODS IN DESIGN OF GOD.

THE FIRST COMMAND.

IN THE HEBREW DECK THOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GOD BEFORE ME OBEYED IS SUFFICIENT TO STILL ALL STRIFE.

GOD IS THE DIVINE MIND.

HAS THE SEQUENCE, HAS ALL PEOPLE'S ONE MIND, PEACE WOULD REIN.

GOD IS FATHER.

INFINITE AND THIS GREAT TRUTH WHEN UNDERSTOOD IN ITS DIVINE MET PHYSICS WILL ESTABLISH THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN AND END WARS.

AND DEMONSTRATE ON EARTH PEACE.

GOODWILL TOWARDS MEN.

>> TONIGHT I INVITE YOU TO LISTEN TO ONE OF THE BUDDHIST ZEN MASTER THICH NHAT HANH MOST FAMOUS POEMS.

SOME OF YOU HAVE HEARD THIS POEM.

IT WAS WRITTEN SOON AFTER THE VIETNAM WAR ENDED.

AND IT REFLECTS A DEEP INSIGHT INTO HOW WE CANNOT SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM THE WORLD AROUND US EVEN THOSE WHO DO HARM.

I FIND EACH TIME I HEAR IT, ITS MEANING DEEPENS FOR ME.

IT'S CALLED PLEASE CALL ME BY MY TRUE NAMES.

DON'T SAY THAT I WILL DEPART TOMORROW — EVEN TODAY I AM STILL ARRIVING.

THE RHYTHM OF HEART IS THE BIRTH AND DEATH OF ALL THAT IS ALIVE.

I AM THE MAYFLY METAMORPHOSING ON THE SURFACE OF THE RIVER.

AND I AM THE BIRD THAT SWOOPS DOWN TO SWALLOW THE MAYFLY.

I AM THE FROG SWIMMING HAPPILY IN THE CLEAR WATER OF A POND.

AND I AM THE GRASS-SNAKE THAT SILENTLY FEEDS ITSELF ON THE FROG.

I AM THE CHILD IN UGANDA, ALL SKIN AND BONES MY LEGS AS THIN AS BAMBOO STICKS.

AND I AM THE ARMS MERCHANT SELLING DEADLY WEAPONS TO UGANDA.

I AM THE TWELVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL REFUGEE ON A SMALL BOAT WHO THROWS HERSELF INTO THE OCEAN AFTER BEING RAPED BY A SEA PIRATE.

AND I AM THE PIRATE MY HEART NOT YET CAPABLE OF SEEING AND LOVING.

I AM A MEMBER OF THE POLITBURO WITH PLENTY OF POWER IN MY HANDS.

AND I AM THE MAN WHO HAS TO PAY HIS DEBT OF BLOOD TO MY PEOPLE DYING SLOWLY IN A FORCED-LABOR CAMP.

MY JOY IS LIKE SPRING, SO WARM IT MAKES FLOWERS BLOOM ALL OVER THE EARTH.

MY PAIN IS LIKE A RIVER OF TEARS SO VAST IT FILLS THE FOUR OCEANS.

PLEASE CALL ME BY MY TRUE NAMES SO I CAN HEAR ALL MY CRIES AND MY LAUGHTER AT ONCE SO I CAN SEE THAT MY JOY AND PAIN ARE ONE.

PLEASE CALL ME BY MY TRUE NAMES SO I CAN WAKE UP AND SO THE DOOR OF MY HEART CAN BE LEFT OPEN THE DOOR OF COMPASSION.

S THIS POEM SAYS THAT PEACE CANNOT COME AS LONG AS WE SEPARATE OURSELVES INTO US VERSUS THEM.

OR POSITIVE WAY OF SAYING IT IS THAT PEACE WILL COME WHEN WE DEEPLY REALIZE OUR ONENESS.

CAN WE LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND RECOGNIZE OURSELVES IN EACH OTHER?

[♪♪♪] [♪♪♪] >> IN THE NAME OF GOD MOST GRACIOUS, MOST MERCIFUL.

>> I WANT TO START OFF WITH ISLAMIC GREETINGS.

AS SALAMU ALAYKUM WHICH MEANS MAY THE PEACE AND BLESSINGS BE UPON YOU ALL.

I'M AS MINUTE ASAN, THE PRESIDENT OF THE MSA CLUB MUSLIM STUDENTS ASSOCIATION AT ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND I WELCOME YOU TO OUR HUMBLE COLLEGE.

TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD AND PRAYING FOR WORLD PEACE.

ALA SAYS IN THE QUID PRO QUO RAN I DON'T KNOW THE I I I WILL TRANSLATE IN ENGLISH FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND.

ALL MANKIND WE HAVE CREATED YOU IN A MALE AND FEMALE.

AS SEPARATED INTO NATIONS AND TRIBES.

THAT YOU MAY RECOGNIZE ONE ANOTHER, NOT THAT YOU MAY DESPISE EACH OTHER.

AND THE MOST RIGHTEOUS AMONG YOU ARE THOSE WHO DO GOOD.

SO JUST US COMING TOGETHER HERE TO SPEAK AND TO END ALL WARS IS A BEAUTY IN ITSELF.

SO THANK YOU FOR COMING.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE.

I'M BASHIRA AND I AM A SENIOR AT FOLLOWER FROM JESUS HAIL MARY.

I WOULD LIKE TO READ MY POEM TO YOU GUYS ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR.

THE TITLE IS THE TEARS OF SOMALI.

ONCE A NEIGHBOR NOW A FOR WHERE LAUGHER ECHOED NOW BULLETS FLOW.

THE BONDS WE CHERISHED AND ENJOYED REPLACED BY DIVISION AND VOID FROM A TIME OF PEACE AND TRANQUILITY TO ONE WHERE DEATH IS A HIGH POSSIBILITY.

AS ECHOS OF THE VOICES RING IN THE SHADOWS WHERE MOST ARE SURE SUFFERING, PEOPLE PEOPLE FLEE AND OTHERS FIGHT IN THE FACE OF DARKNESS BOTH DAY AND NIGHT.

WILL THIS BE IT?

WILL IT SEE THE REST OF US OUR PRAYERS AND HOPES ARE THINGS WE HAVE LEFT.

AS THESE QUESTIONS RACE WITHIN OUR MAINED MINDS IN THE FACE OF WAR MANY REMAIN BLIND.

THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE.

I'M RAZI MARSHALL FROM MISSION BROTHER AS CADMY I WAS ASKED TO REFLECT ON A QUESTION WHAT IS PEACE?

DICTIONARY DEFINES IT AS FREEDOM FROM DISTURBANCE TRANQUILITY.

AS SOMEONE WHOSE FAMILY IS BEING DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE CONFLICT IN GAZA I DO NOT AGREE.

PEACE IS ROOTED IN ONE THING.

LOVE.

LOVE IS THE BASIS WHICH TRUE PEACE CAN AND MUST BE BUILT.

BASED ON AN UNDERSTANDING OF ONE ANOTHER SOMETHING LACKING IN SOCIETY.

AS SOMEONE DEDICATED TO THE STUDY OF EVERY RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE AND FOUND ARE OF MY SCHOOL'S WORLD RELIGIONS CLUB I'VE LEARNED THE UNDERSTANDING SOMEONE'S VIEWS TO UNDERSTAND THEM.

RECOGNIZING WE ARE NOT ALL SO DIFFERENT.

WHATEVER NAME WE CHOOSE TO CALL GOD DOESN'T CHANGE OUR CALLING AS HUMANS TO LOVE.

IN A WORLD RAVAGED BY WAR, PEACE IS ONLY ATTAINABLE THROUGH LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING OF OTHERS IN A WORLD DIVIDED BY US AND THEM WE CANNOT BE US BECAUSE WE'RE JUST ONE THING.

HUMAN.

THANK YOU.

>> PEACE BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

I BRING YOU TIDINGS OF JOY, PEACE ON EARTH AND GOODWILL TOWARDS ALL PEOPLE.

YOU'VE HEARD TONIGHT AND YOU WILL CONTINUE TO HEAR THOSE WHO WILL COME AND PRAY IN THEIR FAITH.

YOU WILL WITNESS PEOPLE EXPRESSING HOW THEIR FAITH REQUIRES THAT THEY LIVE IN HARMONY WITH OTHERS AND LIVE IN PEACE.

WHAT WE MUST PRAY FOR TONIGHT IS THE GREATEST HUMAN NEED THAT THERE IS.

THE NEED TO OBEY, THE NEED TO OBEY WHAT THEY BELIEVE.

THERE IS A PARABLE ABOUT A SOLAR SOW THE SEED VARIOUS TYPES OF GROUND.

SOW THE SEED IN STONEY GROUND.

STONES REPRESENTED THE CARES OF THE WORLD.

THE CARES OF THE WORLD THAT CAUSES US TO WANT MORE THAN IT RIGHTEOUS TO ONE.

IT COMES AND CHOKES OUT THE SEED.

THE SEED OF PEACE.

THE SEED THAT IS PLANTED IN SHALLOW GROUND.

AND THE ROOTS GO DOWN JUST SO FAR.

WHEN THE SUPPOSE LIGHT THE TROUBLES OF THE WORLD TOUCHES THE PLANT, IT WHITHERS BECAUSE IT CANNOT GROW.

LET US PRAY FOR SEEDS THAT THE ARE PLANTED IN FERTILE GROUND.

GROUND WITH HEARTS THAT DESIRE PEACE.

WHO IS ABLE TO OBEY THE WILL OF THEIR CREATOR, THEIR FAITH, PEOPLE WHO CAN LIVE WHAT THEY SPEAK.

THE ABILITY TO WITHSTAND THE PRESSURES OF THE WORLD.

EVEN IF ONE HAS TO STAND ALONE OFTEN THAT IS WHAT IS REQUIRED TO STAND IN PEACE.

SO TONIGHT WE WILL PRAY FOR THAT.

LET US PRAY.

HEAVENLY FATHER WE PRAY FOR THE INNOCENT.

WHO ARE VICTIMIZED SIMPLY BY PROXIMITY.

WE PRAY FOR THE PURE IN HEART.

THOSE WHO HAVE NO WILL TO HAVE AUTHORITY OVER OTHERS.

THOSE WHO HAVE NO DESIRE TO CONTROL OTHERS.

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART.

YOUR PROMISES THAT THEY SHALL SEE GOD.

BLESS RED THEY THAT MOURN TONIGHT, GOD, FOR YOU PROMISED THAT THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED.

COMFORT THOSE, LORD, GOD, WHOSE FAITH IN YOU WILL HOLD THEM WHILE THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THIS MOST UNSETTLING TIME.

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FOR THEY SHALL RECEIVE MERCY.

WE PRAY FOR THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY ARE THE TRUE CHILDREN OF GOD.

WE PRAY, LORD, GOD, FOR THE RELEASE OF THE THIEF.

LET US TAKE CONTROL IN EVERY PART OF THE WORLD WHERE THERE'S WAR.

WE PRAY THAT THE THIEF WOULD BE CONDEMNED AND SENT INTO THE ABYSS, NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE AUTHORITY FOR WE KNOW THIS ONLY WILL IS TO KILL.

AND STEAL AND DESTROY.

WE PRAY THAT THOSE WHO ARE DARKNESS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE LIGHT.

WE NEED YOU, FATHER, THERE'S NO HUMAN BEING WHO CAN DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE BUILDING IN YOU INTERCEDE.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WILL COME TOGETHER FOR GOOD.

WE JUST KNOW THAT YOU HAVE PROMISED THAT IF WE LOVE YOU, IT WILL WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.

WE'RE STRUGGLING NOW.

AND WE NEED YOUR CALM.

WE NEED THE PEACE THAT GOES BEYOND UNDERSTANDING.

AND WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD TOUCH THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE YOU, BUT LORD, GOD, WE PRAY THAT WITH LIGHT AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE YOU AND BE LIKE YOU.

THIS WE PRAY IN THE NAME OF OUR FATHER AND THE NAME OF OUR CREATOR.

AMEN.

>> I'D -- >> YOU ARE OUT.

FAITH AND HOPE.

[LAUGHTER] >> AGAIN, WE STAND ON THE BATTLEFIELDS OF WAR.

WAR BETWEEN OUR IDEOLOGIES BETWEEN NATIONS AND PEOPLES, BETWEEN RELIGIONS.

WAR AGAINST HUMAN DIGNITY, AGAINST THE SACREDNESS OF ALL HUMAN LIFE.

AGAINST JUSTICE FOR ALL.

AND I NO LONGER PRAY FOR PEACE.

BUT I PRAY FOR MIRACLES.

LET US PRAY FOR MIRACLES.

WE PRAY THAT STONED HEARTS WILL TURN TO TENDER HEARTEDNESS.

AND EVIL INTENTIONS WILL TURN TO MERCIFULNESS.

AND ALL THE SOLDIERS ALREADY DEPLOYED WILL BE GATHERED UP AND RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES AS THEIR WEAPONS MELT INTO INSTRUMENTS TO CREATE ENOUGH AND MORE THAN ENOUGH TO FEED THE HUNGRY.

WE PRAY THAT THE WHOLE WORLD WILL BE ASTOUNDED ON TO ITS KNEES BY THE COMING OF PEACE.

WE PRAY THAT ALL THE GOD TALK WOULD TAKE ON FLESH AND BONE AND STAND UP AND SHED IT FAITHLESSNESS AND WALK, AGAIN, IN ITS POWERFUL TRUTHS.

WE PRAY THAT THE WHOLE WORLD MIGHT SIT DOWN TOGETHER AND SHARE ITS BREAD THAT THERE MAYBE NO HUNGER.

AND SHARE ITS WINE THAT ALL HEARTS MIGHT BE BLESSED.

SOME SAY THERE IS NO HOPE.

BUT IN MY HEART, I HAVE ALWAYS APPLAUDED THE HOLY FOOLS, WE, WHO GATHER HERE TONIGHT, WHO NEVER SEEM TO GIVE UP ON THE SCAN DULLLESSNESS OF OUR FAITHS THAT WE ARE LOVED BY GOD AND THAT WE CAN TRULY LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

AND SO WE PRAY FOR MIRACLES.

MAY IT BE SO.

AMEN.

>> AS SALAMU ALAYKUM.

PEACE BE WITH YOU.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M MARK CASS.

AND AS SUSIE MENTIONED IN THE PROGRAM I'M LISTED AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH SIDE LEARNING CENTER.

I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE MOSQUE OF JESUS SON OF MARY AND SERVE ON THE INTERFAITH WORKS ROUNDTABLE OF FAITH LEADERS.

I FIRST JOINED THE ROUNDTABLE BECAUSE OF MY WORK WITH THE ALLIANCE OF COMMUNITIES TRANSFORMING SYRACUSE, A FAITH BASED JUSTICE ORGANIZATION.

AND ONE OF THE LAY PEOPLE ON THE ROUNDTABLE OF FAITH LEADERS I'M HONORED TO BE ASKED TO SPEAK HERE TONIGHT.

I HEARD THE WAR IN GAZA DESCRIBED AS A WAR ON JUSTICE.

AND BELIEVE THIS CAN BE SAID ABOUT UKRAINE, SUDAN, CONGO AND TOO MANY OTHER PLACES AROUND OUR WORLD.

I BELIEVE WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE CAN BE NO TRUE PEACE WITHOUT JUSTICE.

I MENTIONED MY INVOLVEMENT WITH THESE GROUPS TWOR TWO REASONS.

ONE, WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE IN ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I SINCERELY PRAY THAT THESE RELATIONSHIPS ARE SUSTAINED AND STRENGTHENED NOT DAMAGED AS WE TRY TO DEAL WITH AND PROCESS THE HORRORS WHICH THE MEDIA DELIVERS TO US EACH DAY.

SECOND, I THANK ALA OUR GOD EVERYDAY HE BLESSED US WITH THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE SO EVIDENT HERE TONIGHT.

MAY WE ASK ALLAH TO GIVE US GUIDANCE, HOPE AND SUPPORT TO ENABLE PEACE AROUND THE GLOBE AND RIGHT HERE AT HOME.

FOLLOWING UP ON BROTHER OSMOND'S VERSE, I ASK ALLAH TO GRANT MY SOUL, OUR SOUL A SENSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PURIFY IT FOR ALLAH YOU ARE THE BEST TO PURIFY IT.

I PRAY THIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IS IN WHAT WE THINK, WHAT WE SAY AND WHAT WE DO AS WE WORK TOGETHER FOR PEACE.

AMEN.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TRY SOMETHING TOGETHER.

THEY WANTED TONIGHT TO SING TOGETHER.

SO WE'RE GOING TO SING THE SONG THE ONE WE FIND IN CHAPTER 30, VERSE 6.

[♪♪♪] HELLO EVERYONE.

HOW IS YOUR BACK?

IS EVERYONE TURNED TO THE LEFT.

CRACK.

TURN TO THE RIGHT.

CRACK.

I MAY LOOK YOUNG BUT MY BACK HURTS KIDS THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET OLD.

I ASK YOU THIS FOR CHRISTIANS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT PARTS OF OUR THEOLOGY THAT GOD WAS INCARNATED AND GOD WAS MADE INTO FLESH, INTO STUFF.

AND OFTEN WE CHRISTIANS AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS THE CASE FOR OTHER RELIGIONS AS WE WILL, BUT WE FORGET THIS.

SO I WANT YOU TO TAKE YOUR BULLETIN AND DROP IT.

GET RID OF IT.

PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE YOU WOULD NORMALLY PRAY.

SOME PEOPLE PUT THEIR HANDS TOGETHER.

SOME PEOPLE TOUCH THEIR THUMB TO THEIR MIDDLE FINGER IF YOU PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR.

NOW, FEEL WHAT YOU FEEL.

FEEL YOUR FINGER, FEEL THE AIR, FEEL THAT YOUR SKIN CAN FEEL THE SENSATION OF FEELING ITSELF.

IT IS A MIRACLE IN AND OF ITSELF.

BREATHE IN.

AND BREATHE OUT.

NOW, I WANT YOU TO DO SOMETHING AND TURN THAT SENSE OF FEELING TOWARDS THE PEOPLE SITTING NEXT TO YOU.

WE DON'T HAVE A WORD FOR IT IN ENGLISH WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE BUT TO REACH OUT SPIRITUALLY TO TOUCH ANOTHER PERSON, TO TOUCH THEIR SPIRIT.

JUST AS HANDS CAN BE USED FOR GOOD OR FOR ILL, OUR SPIRITS CAN BE USED FOR GOOD OR FOR ILL.

TURN THAT SPIRIT TOWARDS PEACE TOWARDS THE OTHER PERSON.

AND NOW I WILL ASK YOU SOMETHING REALLY CRAZY TO DO.

REACH OUT BEYOND THIS ROOM, BEYOND THIS COUNTRY, REACH OVER TO THE PLACES FOR WHICH WE'RE PRAYING, REACH OUT WITH THAT SAME SENSE OF TOUCH AND TOUCH THOSE GRIEVING SPIRITS, TOUCH THE SPIRITS WHO ARE SCARED WHO ARE FRIGHTENED, ESPECIALLY TOUCH THE SPIRITS OF THOSE WHO ARE CHILDREN AND WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS.

TOUCH THOSE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT PEACE MEANS.

BREATHE IN.

AND BREATHE OUT.

AND LET THE PEACE THAT YOU PRAY FOR BE NOT JUST FOR YOURSELF BUT FOR THOSE AROUND YOU AND THOSE AROUND THE GLOBE.

LORD, GOD, MAY OUR PRESENCE BE PEACE.

LORD, GOD, MAY OUR PRESENCE BE HOPE.

SEND OUT THE HOPE OF YOUR PEOPLE OF ALL YOUR PEOPLE TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH AND BEYOND.

SO THAT WE MAY SEE PEACE IN OUR TIMES AND SO THAT OUR CHILDREN MAY NO LONGER LOOK TOWARDS HATRED OR RESENTMENT OR VENGEANCE.

BUT ONLY PEACE.

AMEN.

>> GOOD EVENING.

EVERYONE.

IN THE NAME OF GOD THE MOST GRACIOUS THE MOST MERCIFUL.

OUR LORD, YOU ARE THE INFINITE MERCY.

THE ULTIMATE JUSTICE.

AND THE SOURCE OF PEACE.

WE PRAY, WE PRAY THAT YOU DESTROY THE DIVIDING WALLS OF HATE AND GRANT PEACE OF THOSE WHO SEEK YOUR MERCY.

WE PRAY THAT YOU DESTROY ALL WEAPONS AND WEAPONS MANUFACTURERS AND PLANT FLOWERS AND LOVE IN EVERYONE.

WE APPEAL TO YOU TO WEAKEN THE DESIRE FOR PEACEFUL AND JUST LIFE.

PEACEFUL AND JUST LIFE IN ALL THOSE HEARTS THAT ARE FILLED WITH HATRED FOR OTHERS.

ESPECIALLY THOSE AT WAR AND PREPARING FOR WAR.

IMPLANT IN THEM THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE ALL YOUR CREATION FROM ONE MOTHER AND ONE FATHER.

IMPLANT IN THEM THE LOVE FOR YOUR COMFORT, CONFIRM IN THEM ACCEPTANCE AND LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.

GRANT PEACE AND JUSTICE TO ALL YOUR SERVANTS.

OVERSHADOW EVERY DISPUTE AND INJUSTICE WITH YOUR MERCY AND JUSTICE.

OUR LORD HEARS THIS APPLICATION OF ALL WHO CALLS TO YOUR TO YOU AND OPPRESSIONS, SORROW AND AFFLICTION.

FOR YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF PEACE.

YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF PEACE AND YOU IS ALL PEACE AND GLORY.

AMEN.

>> AS SALAMU ALAYKUM.

PEACE OF GOD BE UPON YOU.

I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT NOW IF I MAKE A MISTAKE THAT I HAVE A HEAVY HEART AND HAVE A HARD TIME SPEAKING.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYER.

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE GOD TO MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

ALLAH THE SOURCE OF PEACE THE GIVER OF TRANQUILITY WE HUMBLY TURN TO YOU IN PRAYER.

WE SEEK YOUR GUIDANCE AND MERCY IN THE TROUBLED TIMES AS CONFLICTS RAVAGE PALESTINIAN, ISRAEL, UKRAINE, SUDAN, CONGO AND MANY OTHER PLACES AROUND THE WORLD.

OUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY WITH THE WEIGHT OF THE SUFFERING ENDURED BY THE INNOCENT.

SHOW YOUR MERCY UPON THE VICTIMS OF WAR REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE, RELIGION OR NAGS NAGSALITY NAGSALITY.

MAY THE NATIONS, LEADERS AND INDIVIDUALS IN WAR HEAR THE CALL OF JUSTICE EMBEDDED IN THE QURAN.

ALL YOU WHO HAVE BELIEVED BE PERSISTENT IN STANDING FIRM FOR GOD.

BE THE WITNESS OF JUSTICE EVEN IF IT MAYBE DEPENDS YOURSELF YOUR RELATIVES.

MAY THE RAGE BE JUST OF THE BETTER PROTECTER.

DO NOT LET THE HATRED OF PEOPLE IN YOUR HEART PREVENT YOU FROM BEING JUST.

BE JUST THERE IS NEEDED TO BEING RIGHTEOUS.

ALLAH, GRANT STRENGTH AND PATIENCE TO THOSE FACING ADVERSITY, ILLUMINATE THE HEARTS OF LEADERS WITH WISDOM AND EMPATHY GUIDING THEM TOWARDS THE PATH OF JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.

INSPIRE NATIONS TO COME TOGETHER IN DIALOGUE AND UNDERSTANDING FOSTERING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEACE CAN FLUOR RIRN.

FLOURISH.

OH, GOD, REMEMBER MOHAMMED IS SAYS THAT PEACE UPON HIM YOU WILL NOT ENTER PARADISE UNTIL YOU BELIEVE.

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE UNTIL YOU LOVE EACH OTHER.

AND YOU WILL NOT LOVE EACH OTHER UNLESS YOU SPREAD PEACE AMONG YOURSELVES.

ONE OF YOUR HUMBLE SERVANTS ONCE SAID THE WOUND IS THE PLACE THAT THE LIGHTENTERS YOU.

MAY THE WOUNDS OF THESE CONFLICTS BE HEALED.

MAY THE LIGHT OF PEACE ENTER THE HEARTS OF THOSE IN POWER HELP US REALIZE YOU HAVE ALL INTERCONNECTED MEMBERS OF ONE FAMILY AND THE PAIN OF ONE IS THE PAIN OF ALL.

THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF PEACE IS STILL IN US THE CAPACITY TO BE PEACE IN OUR LIVES.

HELP US TO SOW COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING AND FORGIVENESS IN THE WORLD.

LEAD US TO BE BRIDGES OF HARMONY, STANDING AGAINST INJUSTICE AND OPPRESSION.

ALLAH, MAKE US AGENTS OF POSITIVE CHANGE WORKING TIRELESSLY FOR THE DEVELOPING OF ALL HUMANITY, GRANT US THE COURAGE TO SPEAK AGAINST VIOLENCE AND THE WISDOM TO CHOOSE THE PATH OF RECONCILIATION.

IN YOUR INFINITE MERCY, BRING AN END TO THE CONFLICTS ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

MAY THE PEOPLE OF THESE EVENTS EXPERIENCED TRANQUILITY THAT COMES WITH PEACE AND MAY YOUR CHILDREN GROW UP IN A WORLD FREE OF SCARS OF WAR AND HATRED.

AMEN.

>> I SUPPORT ONE OF OUR MEMBERS TO READ A STATEMENT FOR PEACE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I AM FROM CNY CENTER.

AND TODAY I'D LIKE TO SHARE REFLECTIONS ON PEACE FROM AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE.

CONSIDERING THE VIOLENT AND HATEFUL STATE OF THE WORLD IT IS NO WONDER WE FEEL CONFLICTING EMOTIONS.

MUSLIM AMERICANS WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

HOWEVER, WE CAN ALSO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT TO CHANGE THE FUTURE.

WE CAN LISTEN TO DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE.

THOSE ALSO DRAW INSPIRATION FROM THE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING, COMPASSION AND JUSTICE TO FOSTER A CLIMATE WHERE DIFFERENCES ARE CELEBRATED NOT EXPLOITED.

IN THE QURAN, WE FOUND THAT THE POWERFUL WORDS THAT SAY WHOEVER KILLS A SOUL IT IS AS IF YOU KILLED THE MANKIND ENTIRELY.

AND WHOEVER SAYS ASSAULT IT IS SAVE MANKIND ENTIRELY.

THESE WORDS UNDERSCORE THE IMMEASURABLE WILL OF EVERY LIFE.

TO CHERISH AND PRESERVE HUMAN DIGNITY IS UNIVERSAL COMMITMENT AND OBLIGATION.

WE HUMBLY RELY ON THE GUIDANCE OF PROPHET MOHAMMED.

THE WORDS AT THE TIME OF THE WISDOM OF RESPONDING TO ADVERSITY WITH PATIENCE AND KINDNESS.

DO NOT BE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WITHOUT MINDS OF THEIR OWN.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF OTHERS TREAT YOU WELL, YOU WILL TREAT THEM WELL.

IF THEY HARM YOU, YOU HARM THEM.

INSTEAD, BE A BETTER PERSON.

DON'T HARM PEOPLE.

WHEN THEY HARM YOU.

HEAL, TREAT THEM WELL LIKE QURAN SAYS MAYBE THEY WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND.

AND MUSLIM AMERICANS WE SHARE A REGION WITH YOU TO HEAL THE WORLD.

ONLY WAY TO HEAL THIS WORLD IS TO TREAT EACH OTHER WELL.

COME STAND WITH ME IN THE SPACE WHERE LOVE OVERSHADOWS HATE AND UNITY WINS OVER DIVISION.

THANK YOU.

>> WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THIS COUNTRY, I LEARNED QUICKLY THAT IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE ON TIME, NEVER GIVE A MIND TO A POLITICIAN OR A PASTOR.

[LAUGHTER] I HOPE I DON'T STAY TOO LONG.

WHEN I THINK OF WAR, I'M REMINDED AS AN AMERICAN OF A CHILD CRYING DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR THEIR MOTHER.

I'M REMINDED OF A MOTHER DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR HER CHILDREN.

I'M REMINDED OF THE STANDING STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAYLIGHT DROPPING BOMBS THAT SOUNDS LIKE A THUNDER.

I'M REMINDED OF HUNGER.

I'M REMINDED OF CHILDREN, WOMEN AND MEN DRINKING FROM POND ANIMALS DRINK FROM BECAUSE THERE IS NO WATER.

I'M REMINDED OF MEN GRABBING THEIR AK-47 AND RUNNING TOWARD WHERE THE SOUNDS OF GUNS WERE COMING FROM.

I'M REMINDED OF SCATTERED LIVES EVERYWHERE.

I'M REMINDED OF ANIMALS EVEN THE WILD ONES RUNNING FROM ALL DIRECTIONS.

AS THE YEAR 2024 TURNS, MAY THERE BE NO CHILDREN DESPERATELY CRYING FOR THEIR MOTHERS.

THEY THERE BE NO MOTHERS CRYING DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

MAY THERE BE NO BOMBS BEING DROPPED ON PEOPLE.

MAY THERE BE NO MEN RUNNING AND GRABBING AK-47'S.

MAY THERE BE PEACE WHERE THERE'S LIFE.

AMEN.

>> GOOD EVENING AND PEACE BE UPON YOU.

MY PRAYER TONIGHT CONSISTS OF TWO VERSUS FROM THE QURAN THAT I WILL RECITE IN ARABIC AND THEN MANY PARTS IN ENGLISH.

LET'S JOIN OUR HEARTS TOGETHER.

[SPOKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] S PRAISE BELONGSES TO GOD WHO SHAPED US IN WOMBS OF OUR MOTHERS.

WHO CALLED US BLACK AND WHITE, BROWN, RED AND YELLOW.

PRAISE BELONGS TO GOD WHO CREATED US FROM MALES AND FEMALES AND MADE US INTO NATIONS AND TRIBES SO WE MAY KNOW EACH OTHER.

OH, GOD, ALMIGHTY WE GATHER HERE TONIGHT FROM THE EAST AND THE WEST AND WE PRAY AS ONE COMMUNITY FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ALL AROUND THE WORLD BECAUSE WE ARE ONE HUMANITY.

WE ARE ONE BODY AND IF A PART OF US HURTS, THE REST OF THE BODY ACHES.

WE ASK YOU TONIGHT, OH, GOD ALMIGHTY, TO GIVE US YOUR LIGHT.

WE ASK YOU TO INCREASE OUR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER AND HUMANITY.

SO WE CAN MODEL EMPATHY AND COMPASSION.

OUR LORD, DO NOT LET OUR HEARTS DEVIATE AFTER YOU HAVE GUIDED US.

GRANT US YOUR MERCY, YOU ARE, INDEED, THE GIVER OF ALL BOUNTIES.

MAY THE EYES OF OUR HEARTS SEE THE LIGHT THAT SHINES IN EACH HUMAN BEING HERE AND EVERYWHERE.

MAY WE FIRMLY STAND AGAINST ANY INJUSTICE AND ADVOCATE FOR DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE.

MAY LOVE FOR GOD IN EACH OTHER BRING IN US INNER PEACE AND JOY THAT WILL ENRICH THE WORLD AROUND US AND GUIDE OUR WORDS AND OUR ACTIONS.

AMEN.

[♪♪♪] [APPLAUSE] >> I'M THE LAST SPEAKER WHICH COULD MEAN TWO THINGS, WE WILL BE EATING SOON OR I DECIDE I'M GOING TO SPEAK FOR HALF AN HOUR.

BEFORE I READ A PRAYER THAT IS RECITING IN MANY, MANY SYNAGOGUES EVERY SHABBAT, I WANT TO PUT IT IN CONTEXT.

I'M VERY PROUD TO BE AN INHERITER PROBABLY THE OLDEST RELIGIOUS TRADITION IN THE WORLD 4,000 YEARS.

AND IN THAT HISTORY, WE GAVE BIRTH TO TWO RELIGIONS, WE GAVE THE WORLD THE BIBLE, WE GAVE THE WORLD THE RULE OF LAW, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO TERMS WORDS THAT WE USE TODAY, WE GAVE THE WORLD A UNIQUE INSIGHT.

THE WORD FOR PEACE AS YOU KNOW IN SHALOM.

BUT WHAT DOES SHALOM MEAN?

IT COMES FROM THE ROOT VERB SHINLAMIN, TO BE COMPLETE TO BE WHOLE.

SO IN ESSENCE PEACE IS A SPIRITUAL ENTITY THAT WE CAN ACQUIRE IN A SENSE OF GOD AND OUR RELATIONSHIP.

BUT EVEN MORE THAN THAT, TO PRAY YOU DON'T HAVE A WORD FOR PRAYER IN HEBREW.

WE HAVE A WORD THAT IS A SELF REFLECTIVE VERB SO WHEN WE PRAY IN JEWSISM -- JUDAISM WE REFLECT ON WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE STAND FOR AND HOW WE CAN HELP THE WORLD FROM CLIMATE CHANGE TO HELPING SOMEONE ACROSS THE STREET TO DEALING WITH ISSUES OF SOCIETY.

AND PRAYER ALSO MEANS THAT IT'S ACTIVE.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO SAY THE WORDS OR EVEN TO BELIEVE THEM.

WE NEED TO BE INSPIRED BY THEM TO DO SOMETHING.

I REMEMBER ONE OF OUR GREAT TEACHERS ABRAHAM JOSHUA HERSCHEL WHO WAS ONE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'S BEST JEWISH FRIENDS AND MARCHED WITH KING IN SELMA MONTGOMERY IN THE 60s WOULD OFTEN SAY TO US I PRAYED WITH MY FEET.

A TRADITION AND WHAT PRAYER DID I HAVE TO ACT I HAVE TO GO AND MARCH WITH HIM.

SO AS I READ THE PRAYER TONIGHT, I HAVE SOMETHING I HAVE TO SHARE WITH YOU AND I COME WITH A HEAVY HEART.

ONCE AGAIN, AS WE HAVE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN IN OUR JEWISH HISTORY, THE JEWISH PEOPLE ARE UNDER SIEGE ALL OVER THE WORLD.

NOT JUST IN ISRAEL, NOT JUST IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT ALL OVER THE WORLD.

ANTI-SEMITISM HAS QUADRUPLED IN THE PAST FOUR WEEKS.

AND I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO GO OUT AND PROTEST.

I JUST WANT EVERYONE HERE TO BEGIN WITH THAT IF THEY MEET SOMEONE WHO DECIDES TO CURSE THE JEWS OR TO SAY HOW TERRIBLE THEY ARE AND WHY THINGS ARE TERRIBLE, TO SAY NO, THEY ARE GOD'S CHILDREN.

IN FACT THEY WERE GOLD'S CHILDREN LONG BEFORE EVERY OTHER RELIGION WERE GOD'S CHILDREN.

AS I READ THIS PRAYER, WHICH WE DO EVERY WEEK, TAKE ITS MEANING TO HEART TO INSPIRE US TO PRAY AND TO WORK FOR PEACE.

MAY WE SEE THE DAY WHEN WAR AND BLOODSHED CEASES WHEN A GREAT PEACE WILL EMBRACE THE WORLD.

THE NATION WILL NOT THREATEN NATION.

AND THE HUMAN FAMILY WILL NOT AGAIN KNOW WAR.

FOR ALL ON EARTH SHALL REALIZE WE HAVE NOT COME INTO BEING TO HATE OR TO DESTROY.

WE HAVE COME INTO BEING TO PRAISE, TO LOVE.

COMPASSION GOD BLESSED THE LEADERS OF ALL NATIONS WITH THE POWER OF COMPASSION.

FULFILL THE PROMISE CONVEYED IN SCRIPTURE I WILL BRING PEACE TO THE LAND AND YOU SHALL LIE DOWN AND NO ONE SHALL TERRIFY YOU.

I WILL RID THE LAND OF VISH STATE HOUSE PEACE AND IT SHALL BOOT BE RAVAGED BY WAR.

LET LOVE AND JUSTICE FLOW LIKE A MIGHTY STREAM.

LET PEACE FILL THE EARTH AS THE WATERS FILL THE SEA.

AND LET US SAY AMEN.

>> I DID NOT KNOW THAT RABBI SAX WOULD BE JUST BEFORE ME.

BUT I THINK IT BEARS REPEATING.

LET JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS FLOW LIKE A MIGHTY STREAM.

LET GOD'S PEACE FILL THE EARTH AS WATERS FILL THE SEA.

AMEN.

I'D LIKE TO THANK THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL THE VARIOUS RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES.

YOUR WORDS AND YOUR PRAYERS HAVE BROUGHT PEACE AND HOPE TO ALL OF US.

I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT.

I WISH YOU, WE WISH YOU, FOR THE COMING YEAR AND FOR ALL OTHER YEARS COMING AHEAD, PEACE, CONTENTMENT, FAITH AND LOVE.

NOW PLEASE STAY FOR SOME REFRESHMENTS IN THE LOBBY.

TAKE CARE.

STAY WELL.

BE HAPPY.

SPREAD JOY AND PEACE.

GOOD EVENING.

[APPLAUSE]